MIDGAME NOTES: Affeldt or Machi to “start” for Giants; Strickland will have prominent role; Giants to add more call-ups

No lineups yet, although the Coors Field people had a little fun on their scoreboard. The Giants have to replace Tyler Colvin (likely with Gregor Blanco) and Brandon Hicks (likely with Joe Panik). Manager Bruce Bochy said Jeremy Affeldt and Jean Machi are the candidates to pitch, and he’ll make that decision when the lineup card is turned in. Will they both warm up?

“Maybe …” he said, smiling.

Will he double-switch Michael Morse out the game since he was the last to hit?

“Maybe …” Bochy said again.

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There really aren’t any secrets here, the Rockies will know the pitcher with plenty of time to send up the matchup they want in place of injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. They’ll have their choice of pinch-runners for Michael Cuddyer, on first base but also on the DL. Although, both teams have challenges left …

“I’ve got to look at how Cuddyer got on first base,” Bochy joked. “I wonder if I can challenge that.”

Bochy said he would spend the next hour going over the lineup one more time, “making sure I didn’t leave something out.” I’ll post the lineups here when we get them.

— The clubhouse is full, and it’s only going to get more crowded. Chris Dominguez, Hunter Strickland, Guillermo Quiroz, Mike Kickham and Juan Perez are here, Strickland and Dominguez for the first time.

Strickland has both his parents here as well as his wife. This is a big day for him, the final step in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Strickland had TJ last May but felt so strong this spring that trainers had to get him to slow down the rehab process.

“I’ve been blessed throughout the rehab process,” he said. “The physical therapists and trainers in Arizona crushed me. I’m a believer, and I praise God for that (health).”

When Strickland returned to pitching about 10 1/2 months after having surgery, the Giants didn’t necessarily plan on having him here this September. But he didn’t have any physical limitations and pitched really, really well. He was the closer at Double-A Richmond and had a 2.02 ERA in 38 appearances with 48 strikeouts and four (seriously, four) walks. Strickland throws in the high 90′s and has a slider and split-finger, which he uses as his changeup.

“I feel better than I did before,” the surgery, he said.

How nasty is Strickland?

“Very,” Matt Duffy said. “Very. The thing is he throws strikes, too. That was the most impressive part.”

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Most of the call-ups will be depth, but the Giants have long viewed Strickland as a potential closer, and he’ll be thrown right into the mix, pitching in the sixth or seventh of close games.

“The little bit I got to know him this spring, he doesn’t need to be handled with kid gloves,” Bochy said. “He’s ready to go.”

Strickland has a bit of Brian Wilson in him, in terms of stuff and his competitiveness and zeal for workouts. He’s not playing a character though, and he seemed very humbled by the call-up. After he talked to reporters, Strickland reached into his bag and pulled out the piece of paper that was up in his locker this spring. He puts it up in his locker everywhere he goes. There are two gruesome pictures of Strickland’s arm spread wide open as doctors fixed him up, and a slogan written in sharpie: “Pain is weakness leaving the body.”

— Many have asked/complained about the call-up list, but Bochy has confirmed that another group is coming. I’ve heard it’s going to be five more, and there are three easy candidates on the 40-man roster: Erik Cordier, Adam Duvall, and, yes, Gary Brown. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Brown gets the call after Fresno’s season ends today. At some point, you just have to make that move, even if he’s down on the depth chart.

The Giants can clear two more spots by putting Marco Scutaro and Matt Cain on the 60-day disabled list. Chris Heston had a 3.36 ERA for Fresno and might have earned a look; there really aren’t many other options if the Giants are looking for more pitching depth.

An interesting name: Brett Bochy. The manager’s kid had a solid season down in Fresno and is capable of soaking up innings, and I’ve heard for a couple of weeks that Bruce is hoping to see his son up here.

Alex Pavlovic

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Shout out to Brownie. Turkey chipotle burgers ready to go on the grill. I bought a hamburger press and a box of restaurant style paper to make them come out more uniform.

Bapah

I’m eager to see Strickland. Don’t think I’ve seen one pitch by him, yet.

Anti-Lasorda

Uniformity is overated, but when are you serving? I have a bottle of Cakebread and some sweet potato fries to compliment those tasty treats

Lunch_Box

So has it been confirmed whether Posey is in Denver? I was under the impression from the past blog he was unavailable.

DrLefty

I’m really happy for him. All the way back. Hope it goes great!

Croix de Candlestick

I’ll be over in 20 minutes…

Anti-Lasorda

That is my fault… apparently hes not taking batting practice…

Lunch_Box

Ok thanks!

Croix de Candlestick

Dang, Giants baseball has me on the edge of my seat in anticipation again.

The internet is a boon to the baseball fanatic. I remember back in the day picking up copies of the Chronicle, SJ Mercury, San Mateo Times & Redwood City Tribune on many days just to get my baseball fix

DrLefty

Sweet potato fries are my favorite and excellent w/turkey burgers, in my opinion. I put them in the fridge and will probably fire them up between the two games. Slices of mozzarella the last two minutes and then topped with lettuce, tomato, and avocado.

DrLefty

Awwww…just saw on Twitter that Brett Bochy is going to be called up. Between Strickland’s comeback, Dominguez finally getting to the show, and the skipper’s kid, this is getting downright heartwarming.

And some of us would still like to see Gary Brown because–well, why not?

SurfCity

They look great but one question — how do you get them to stick up on the wall like that?

My best buddy had a yellow Pinto hatchback with a sweet 8-track. “Love Lies Bleeding” on 10

Anti-Lasorda

No cutters or slider for 6 months…

Doughnut

3 outs to go and ATL drops another game

Doughnut

I wonder if Hamels was ticked off they yanked him in the 6th w/ a no hitter.

Ryan

Nice! Like Matt McC in dazed and confused.

C’mon. You can drop a Prius on me or an OJ Bronco and I’ll still respect.

Croix de Candlestick

Giants were 11 games over .500 when this game started… Back in May, that is

Matthew

It’s European, black, sleek, fast, snarky, pompous.

Ryan

q the twilight zone tune

Ryan

bitchin’!

A Jaguar!

BMW 700 series?

Ryan

bichin’

A Jaguar!

BMW 700 series?

Moooooooooose

I had an auto reverse cassette that would run without the key in the ignition. Once I carpooled and many hours later came back to hear Blue Oyster Cult blasting. Apparently, I forgot it was on when I parked and it was during the empty spot on the tape!

Moooooooooose

108 pitches, 5 walks

Matthew

Sandberg appears to have a popularity issue with the veterans in the dugout. I never would have guessed going in…

BALDHEADSLIK1

It’s a done dotta, a nono 4Cole

Matthew

‘Dem were the days! Cool story…Don’tFear The Casette Deck

Ryan

Hard to believe that Morneau is leading the NL in average – and only at .310. Posey could catch that, not out of realm of possibility.

DrLefty

And Tylers, Tysons, and Tys…and, of course, Brandons.

Matthew

Brings back memories of Yaz before they changed the mound….when .301 led the AL

Ryan

Might have to lower again. Lookin at leaderboard – McCutchen is going to take it again. He can hit!

Doughnut

Really? Wow, me either. Thought he was a players manager

DrLefty

Or Pence.

channelclemente

Panik could catch that.

BALDHEADSLIK1

I mimicked him when i was a youngster in the batters box, him and “little” Joe Morgan

Ryan

if PAs didn’t matter

Doughnut

I’ll take it. I really like seeing young arms. Heard a lot of instances where guys come back from TJ feeling better then before. Oh yeah, also love seeing the split

Leo the Lip

Andy Stay hot

Ryan

Yeah, I think the intense rehab does a lot for the velocity – and they probably focus more on core and legs than they would otherwise.

Matthew

Nice! You did the flap?

Michael Scott

* Strickland- might be the only keeper in the first wave, probably gets Gutierrez’s’ spot for now
*Kickham- if he has a future here it’s probably as a loogy
*Quiroz- prototypical journeyman back up catcher
* Dominguez- “Light Tower Power”, might pop a couple. Hope he likes Sushi
*Perez- 5th OFer has had little chance, probably his last hurrah here

giantc

They have three catchers now — I am surprised they are not pinch running for Susac. Hopefully he can score on a hit.

BALDHEADSLIK1

Reminds me of the AMC Gremlin

Doughnut

Just thought the same thing. What was the verdict? Are they all eligible or just 25 guys?

giantc

Moot point now as Susac moves to third on wild pitch.

Doughnut

Makes sense

Leo the Lip

Looks like MLB shaking the money-maker

BALDHEADSLIK1

Yes sir what kid didnt during those times?

Matthew

E350 , ghost ridin’ the whip

channelclemente

He might just fit under the limit with proration

giantc

They can play in the suspended game too.

Matthew

He has no money maker. Parts, but no revenue potential.

Leo the Lip

4 door Passat?

Doughnut

EFF YA! Awesome

Leo the Lip

I knew it, 4 door Passat

Matthew

I’m a tad bit older…did the Tito bat flip…

avwh

Stay hot, Hunter!

Matthew

Big clutch hit. Big.

BALDHEADSLIK1

Pence is goofy enough to not care about any pitcher they bring in.

2holehitting

All the kids did the flap.. Rick Monday’s stance as well. Then there was Pops Stargel and the kick up of the elbow to start the bat loop and the crough of Pete Rose or the wide open stance of Rod Carew

So Susac just got his first major league hit in his first AB and is now batting 1.000. It’s going to be a bummer when the regular game starts and he’s back down under .300.

avwh

Boy, has Ishikawa strengthened the bench, both with his glove and his bat. He’s been clutch with RISP, it seems (his RBI prorates to 100+ full season).

Matthew

Fun with numbers!

This is so cool….

Ryan

not happening.

avwh

Romo gets back on the horse against COL here….

channelclemente

As I recall, it’s not a hard limit..remember 2012 and Melky Cabrera was in until he declined.

Matthew

Romo/Casilla= I am nervous.

Ryan

You deserve it, you Mad Man you.

giantc

The slider does not move much in elevation — it is amazing how much more movement he gets in SF.

channelclemente

Just a tremendous add on.

Doughnut

Gamer. He is going to fit right in here. Talk about similarities with Wilson… Wilson did the same thing stubbornly at this very same park we are playing at right now.

Michael Scott

That’s OK because he’s Buster.

Matthew

Right, they add the 0-fer to bring it up to the 500

Ryan

there’s a pill for that.

Doughnut

lol

Ryan

Indeed.

2holehitting

For years I have said and cracked the Belt was just like Travis as far as hitting and slightly less in fielding. That was true until BB9 had a very nice end to last year and a start to this year. Travis has always been a good pinch hitter that takes pitches and walks

Ryan

ability to resign Ish gives Sabes some flex…

Jacob Singer

That pitch will always be the Miggy-killer to me.

Doughnut

I bet he could say that to friends 30 years from now and show them proof and nobody would be the wiser

12xu

He had a crucial walk to keep a rally alive in the NLDS against Atlanta, I think in the clinching game. And of course everybody remembers his stretch at 1st to get the final out on the high throw from Juan Uribe!

Matthew

…or a pipe

Ryan

this is some Madeline L’ Engle sheet if you ask me.

DrLefty

I especially like Pagan racing in for a fly ball when his hat blows off. The hair!

2holehitting

So does that mean he is now over 50 games in the majors and can’t get rookie of the year next year?

Matthew

The Miggy-Killer

Jacob, I LOVE it!

Matthew

Dude should be in an Old Spice commercial…

BALDHEADSLIK1

Oh lord!

DrLefty

Wilson also made his debut at Coors Field.

Jacob Singer

It is a “head and shoulders” moment, isn’t it?

Ryan

Mad Man!

avwh

That little broken bat bloop reminds me of how the Rockies got to Romo in that series sweep in SF- lunging out over the plate and going opposite field.

giantc

Not sure why Lopez is not in to pitch to Blackmon — his numbers are way better off righties.

Doughnut

Okay getting nervous. Facing a lefty in altitude as tie run at coors.

Matthew

How ironic! I made MY debut with Coors!

totalfan62

It’s 3.1 plate appearances for each game your team has played. Panik has appx 175 PA, so…no. He should be mentioned as a possible Rookie of the Year guy, even though he has no chance to win. I think Billy Hamilton, but again–where do we find a list of rookies?

avwh

That missed tying the game by less than 6 feet.

Doughnut

How can you possibly remember that?

giantc

Bochy dodged a bullet there — Romo should have been pulled. 5 feet from being a tied game.

My thinking was that he’s slowly getting Romo used to lefties again. But man, doing it with the tying run at the plate in Colorado…..

DrLefty

If he shuts them down here, it changes everything. The blown saves against the Rox in June will never happen.

Matthew

Pablo does no Pence-channeling on slow rollers to 2nd….

Michael Scott

Some of us thought so.

Surf Maui

And replace him with exactly who? Casilla has been very shaky lately as I hope we will not find out in the 9th

totalfan62

1968. The Year of the Pitcher. I riffed on this earlier in August. Appx September 15, Yaz and the A’s Danny Cater were tied for the AL league lead…at .289! Fortunately for all involved, Yaz went on “a tear”, and raised his average over .300. Cater finished second at .290.

DrLefty

Wow, congrats to Panik, Susac, and Duffy on ALL making their major league debuts! Who’s next?

Matthew

He dodges bullets like Jules and Vincent Vega…I’m beginning to believe he is blessed.

Doughnut

Don’t think he wanted to warm up Javy so he could save him for next game. Thats the only way to have him ready ahead of time is to get him up. Already used Affeldt so just gutting it out.

DrLefty

Kickham’s here, too. Three lefties in the pen now.

Michael Scott

Because Romo is now said to be the co-closer. In that role he’ll have to face lefties. Scary none the less.

Jacob Singer

Oh, man the Kickham memories are not good. I hope he’s better this year.

Matthew

Uh oh, Angel Hernandez sighting. At least he is hiding at 3rd and 2nd today

Doughnut

Wow. Excited to see Kickham pitch again. I heard he had a solid year with good stretches on the farm. He was really raw last year but you could see some potential if he developed another pitch.

giantc

Lopez. Romo is going to pitch the ninth inning.

2holehitting

impressive Bochy has changed his managerial technique and loves playing new callups

Doughnut

Lefty, are you positive you can use the entire expanded roster? It would make more sense that you can only use 25 designated guys.

DrLefty

My main memories are of balls flying over the wall. So I was happy to see that he went nearly three months for Fresno this year without allowing a homer.

DrLefty

I only know the same as you, what they’re saying on TV. I agree it would make more sense the other way, as long as both teams have 25. It wouldn’t be fair for the Rox to be three men short because of injuries since May.

giantc

Probably right — I am still hoping for a manager that treats the ninth like other innings. For example if Casilla gets one out in the ninth and then one guy gets on and Morneau comes up, I would rather have Lopez face Morneau with the game on the line. Machi could then come in if necessary after Morneau is out.

I wish I could figure out what Casilla is trying to do with his 2 strike pitches lately.

OMT

Why must it always be torture

totalfan62

Come on, Casilla….

giantc

Lopez should be up to pitch to Morneau.

Never mind. .

OMT

THANK YOU ROLL TWO

BALDHEADSLIK1

Closing doesnt seem to be Casilla’s thing, he’s more comfy as a setup guy, DP 2 outs now wooohooo!

2holehitting

wilson was the torture

giantc

That DP was needed as Morneau is 6 for 12 off Casilla.

Matthew

Never mind…building drama for an easy DP…

Doughnut

Huge

OMT

The Inventor of it.

giantc

7 for 13 now.

Matthew

Methinks Arenado lets out some shaft on his swings this AB….

Surf Maui

Casilla shaky again. no confidence in him

BALDHEADSLIK1

Well Kuips always talking about how slow games are well there u go a 1 hr ball game finished.

DrLefty

He can’t help it. He had a horrible hamstring injury in last night’s game trying to beat out an infield hit. It’s amazing he can walk, let alone pitch.

Doughnut

On Fire!!! lmao!

Brownie

With a win. Let’s get the 2nd one as well

giantc

That was not easy — another series win against a winning team b/c I think the Rockies had a winning record in May.

Surf Maui

Dodgers hearing GIANT footsteps. Down to 2 games.

2holehitting

Arenado was 2 for 5 in this game but 0 for 2 in the game today

Michael Scott

Casilla has never lacked for heart. Nice job- he kinda did induce the DP, BTW. It wasn’t luck.

SurfCity

Hunter Pence gets a hit but does not extend his hitting streak.

BALDHEADSLIK1

Huh? Oh yeah.

OMT

Such a HUGE win

South City Jim

Certainly hope Rutledge starts the night cap. He’s been huge for the G’s this past week.

channelclemente

That relative uncertainty may explain Strickland.

DrLefty

He already had a hit in that game, anyway.

Doughnut

Awesome win. It sure is nice to usually have the better bullpen. They give us torture once in a while especially vs the Rockies but these guys are usually going to out duel the opposition and put it away.

totalfan62

Playoff teams win games like this. Meanwhile in SoCal, Dodgers in pre-game mode look up to see us take another step closer. Now game two, we have our #2 starter ready to go against the last place team in the division, and maybe we take another step closer this evening. I see you, Dodgers.

SurfCity

OK, I wonder if he was in the middle of a different streak back then?

Matthew

Yup…for me, he is a hot mess. The Lindsay Lohan of closers….

Leo the Lip

Baldy that was by design to keep them from throwing home…

Michael Scott

I don’t think I’d go that far.

SurfCity

Nice way to start the day.

Leo the Lip

Greg Papa SMH

Ryan

Marty Lurie Bobblehead out of boxes remains on fire.

totalfan62

I think Casilla will be OK, but I see Bochy doing his “ham ‘n egg” thing with the entire bullpen the rest of the way. Not just Strickland, but another LOOGY, and now I hear young Mr. Bochy as well? Bullpen depth heading into the stretch drive. Dodgers: jealous much?

Ryan

Too handsome for you?

channelclemente

It’s part of the story. When Casilla’s on, he’s dominate, when he’s not, everybody needs a baseball collision insurance policy.

Ryan

St. Louis came back on Pitt, A’s up 5-0 on M’s:

Dirty Deeds, Dunn dirt cheap – Dunn with 2 run tater and 2-2 so far.

Doughnut

Pirates coughed up a big game in the late innings. Big opportunity missed. STL is going to get Wacha and Martinez back so you better get them now. Don’t want to see the Wainwright/Wacha combination if somebody were lucky enough to play in October

Bapah

Too bad for I like the way Perez plays ball; he smacked the ball pretty well in Fresno when I saw him, but fizzled every time he came up. I don’t think he’s outmatched in Bigs, seems more of a head-thing. Damn good fielder, good speed and ++ arm. Like I said, wish he would start hitting up here.

Atlas

When does game 2 start? Greg Papa just said there’s bad injury news on Morse…

Doughnut

oh sh.t

Doughnut

oh s h i t

Brownie

2:45. I’m curious about Morse as well. What happened?

Ryan

Giants were supposedly in on Dunn towards the end.

channelclemente

+ 30 minutes from 1st games end is what was said.

Atlas

Morse out with hip injury suffered during BP. Arias now starting at 1B.

OMT

Ugh, hope Morse’s hip isn’t too bad

Bapah

gotta be a beamer

Leo the Lip

Mike Morse Injured during game 1 BP

Pagan
Panik
Posey
Sandoval
Pence
Blanco
Arias 1B
Crawford
Hudson

Leo the Lip

Maybe BoMel will try Dunn in CF

BALDHEADSLIK1

Morse hurt huh it’s always something , oh well,

FresnoGiant

It must be tough for them to have lost 2 to the Pads after wasting two excellent starts. If they save their top three for the Giants series they could be making a poor choice.
I like the Giants approach of just playing their game and only worrying about the dodgers when they come to town. Every game is important even the Rox and Pads.

Leo the Lip

I have my MLBBH from Original Joes.
Gave Andrea the Astrologer a ride home and I traded a KUIPER for Marty.
I had two Kuipers…

Leo the Lip

He chose the wrong Hair Color for Men

carmot

Great win! I wonder when the last time a 9-inning game was played that each team used 13 position players? 37 different players used in total. I still don’t believe the expanded rosters were available, seemed like lots of confusion on that topic. If they were, then obviously 37 total players isn’t very notable. I’d love to see us grab a massive lead, so we can season a few of the call ups to shake off any presumed jitters. It’s time to be relentless and get greedy!

Ryan

DH works just fine TYVM.

OMT

is the color messed up for you other folks on csnba?

Leo the Lip

Love that term

Ryan

Good deal. How is Andrea on the eyes? Marty is kind of a jerk to her. I’ll give the Marty Lurie Not-Fan Club that.

Matthew

Subtle undertones, Brother! Me too

RobDeer

Expanded rosters weren’t available til this second game.

Leo the Lip

His 0-2 pitches are to Phatty

Bapah

That’s a troubled ego.

Brownie

Seems fine to me

Ryan

No! Start Ish!

Leo the Lip

Sometimes hitters beat good pitches imo

RobDeer

The way we’re going Arias hits his first HR this game.

Leo the Lip

DEAR US on the blog.

Every call up is available in the regular game. The ROX injuries are not SF’s issue.

PerSpeier35

I’m sorry, lefty, righty, whatever, if Morse can’t play then put a real first baseman in that spot, i.e. Ishikawa.

If Derek Law (about to turn 24) can enjoy an equally satisfying return from his Tommy John surgery & with the potential offered by LHP Steven Okert (23) the Giants might very well have the foundation for their future bullpen. . .

Leo the Lip

Let it go

Ryan

Love the Strange Love. And Peter Sellers and the cowboy taking one last ride !

Absolutely…it’s a rocket…I have an old ’94 BMW 325i that is almost more fun…built to race. The E is a bit heavy compared

Leo the Lip

She babbles some
On a scale of 1 to 10 Andrea is a beautiful 5.

Leo the Lip

The Blanco item assures Arias scores and is a bi-product of the ROX hitting their cutoff man and he choosing to take the sure out.

It is NOT a baserunning mistake.

BALDHEADSLIK1

Thats what Oh Well means Leo, come on now buddy.

BALDHEADSLIK1

With the curly fro yes.

Matthew

Yup…Rox ran it perfect

Atlas

Is it possible Arias could have scored without Blanco getting tagged out in a rundown?

BALDHEADSLIK1

I was gonna say that about Poseys supposed gaffe earlier when i realized that was intended to draw the throw in order to make sure the run scores.

Bapah

Well, your attempt at feigning equanimity falls substantially short as Belt is a much more powerful hitter, has a great arm (something Ishi will never have) and is an equal to, or a better, hitter, and with the potential to be Hernandez-good defensively.

That aside. I’m glad he’s back, especially glad he’s hitting and is never a liability at first.

JStreet

Check Arias stats from this year’s allstar game to now. Among the top two or three in most categories (not HR), when you prorate the amount of ABs. His obp and slg % are right up there. Also, not too many can play each infield position. The perception that he’s weak, no good is just that – perception. Don’t take my word for it, look it up. It’s not surprising Bochy puts him in whenever the need arises.

Leo the Lip

True but that’s how they teach it.
Had Blanco stayed at second
Some would say, why is Blanco still at secondbase